Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20
THE WARD DEAL OFF,

THE WARD DEAL OFF.
The repeated announcement during the past
week that negotiations were pending between
New York and Washington for the transfer OF
Ward to Washington has led the baseball public
to hope for decided improvement in the person
mel OF the home team. All such expectations are
STAR reporter this morning that he had received
the final answer or President Day yesterday,
which was that under no conditions would he re-
lease Ward. This will be q disappointment to
the baseball lovers, who had begun to build high
hopes on the prospect OF having such strong
man as Ward at the helm for the remainder OF this
season. and to exercise his rare good judgment In
strengthening the team II possible Tor next
season. No man in the country would have suited
Washington SO well as Johnny Ward. He would
be TO her what Mike Kelly has been to Boston.
The positions OF manager, captain, and short-stOp
would all be filled by him. But II cannot be. The
Rr0poSstfi Nn WA WAS to exchange SHAW Ggan ana
York management and then rejected In open
market as a chattel, Ward would command an
Ing put up to the highest bidder and could not be
disposed OF In that way. AS he would like to come
10 washington, and Is dissatisfied In New York,
been wanting, and Is dissatisfied In Washington,
IT was thought that the deal might be made.
IL Is not known what money consideration, IN
addition to the transfer Of players, would induce
President Day TO part with Ward. The Washing
ton management did not try to find out. Mr.. Hew-
itt said to-day, mo more money will be expended
for players this season. There may be exchanges,
but no purchases. No one can accuse us OF not
being hberaltn expanding money to secure strong
team. The team Is strong one, and has given
just as good exhibitions Of ball playing ut Capitol
Park as any team In the country, but the public
has not stood by the boys. Two or three defeats
spectators to mere handful, and 1t has taken
weeks OF brilliant playing to regain the confidence
OF the people. There is no encouragement for
further Hberality or enterprise. Let the public
come forward this fall and show live interest in
base ball, and will guarantee still stronger
team here next year."
THE WASHINGTON PLAYERS.
The Eastern trip has been more disastrous to the
Statesmen than the Western trip. Three games
have been dropped to the phenomenal Phillies and
two to the Bostons Not game has been added
to the "won" column. The Pittsburgs, on the
other hand, have been playing remarkable ball
There Is every reason to suppose that the WASH
1ngtons, when they begin playing on the home
grounds, Will rapidly overhaul their rivals from
the Quaker city. The recent bad luck OF the local
team has been due largely to the broken-up con-
d1tiOn OF the men. The want of short-stOp was
responsible for more than one defeat. Dealy
played remarkably well In that position, but he
cannot cover as much ground as Is required.
When 1t was necessary for him to 60 behind the
bat 1t was necessary to put Hines in short-neld.
The other two catcherS are bunged up. The re-
cent accident to Gilligaps index finger prevents
him from throwing well and 1nterferes with clean
catching. Mack's split hand has healed, but in
order to save 1t he has been receiving the ball
well back on the palm Of the hand, and 1t Is now
soft and bruised Whitney has broken toe no
Ouc kQOWS uOW. nc was W nave plCCQ6Q IN the
Worcester game. Farrell, who has lately been
missed so much, has very lame arm that prevents
his throwing the ball. Taken altogether, the
team Is out OF condition, but should be In good
form in q little while. They will meet the DetrOits
at Capitol Park on Monday.
WASHINGTON LEAGUE.
The game this afternoon between the Monumen
tai and Alert teams closes another successful
week of the washington League season at Athletic
Park. The success Is due almost entirely to the
brilliant playing OF the several teams and the
friendly rivalry that exists, without the usual ex
hibitiOn OF personal Jealousy. Those who have
visited Athletic Park expecting to witness the
usual amateur playing have been agreeably dis
appointed, and nearly all express their satisfac.
ton by becoming daily patrons Of the game. Nc
better evidence OF the good work OF the League
o1lcerS Is needed than the fact that several Very
hatterng offers have been made the clubs fol
their franchises. One deal has been cOnsummated
during the past week by which the Peabody Club
franchise has been transferred to several South
Washington gentlemen.
The Athletics still stand at the head Of the
League, but with the MOnumentals TOO close q
second to be comfortable. The friends OF both
clubs are anNOusly awaiting the time when they
shall measure strength with each other, judging
from the sentiment expressed, no one contest OF
the season Will be watched with the same degree
OF interest.
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